Molecular Imaging and Biology

, Volume 12, Issue 6, pp 563–569 | Cite as

The Labeled-Leukocyte Scan in the Study of Abdominal Abscesses

  • Mauro Liberatore
  • Enrico Calandri
  • Gabriele Ciccariello
  • Marzia Fioravanti
  • Valentina Megna
  • Lucia Rampin
  • Maria Cristina Marzola
  • Imene Zerizer
  • Adil Al-Nahhas
  • Domenico Rubello
Review Article
First Online:

Abstract

Aim

The purpose of the present paper was to review the literature over the last 30 years to assess the value of radionuclide imaging, particularly labeled leukocyte scan, as compared to other imaging modalities in the management of abdominal abscesses.

Methods

A systematic review of the published studies in humans cited in PubMed written in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish was made.

Results

Ultrasound (US) has lower sensitivity than leukocyte scan (LS), particularly in patients without localizing signs, while CT has higher sensitivity than US, but less than LS. On the other hand, CT had higher specificity than both LS and US.

Discussion

LS is the more sensitive method to localize abdominal abscesses and may guide dedicated US and CT investigations to improve their diagnostic potential. Further diagnostic evolution is expected from the routine use of hybrid SPECT/CT systems.

Key words

Labeled leucocytes Scintigraphy Conventional imaging Abdominal abscesses 
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Notes

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest relating to the present paper.

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Copyright information

© Academy of Molecular Imaging and Society for Molecular Imaging 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Mauro Liberatore
    • 1
  • Enrico Calandri
    • 1
  • Gabriele Ciccariello
    • 1
  • Marzia Fioravanti
    • 1
  • Valentina Megna
    • 1
  • Lucia Rampin
    • 2
  • Maria Cristina Marzola
    • 2
  • Imene Zerizer
    • 3
  • Adil Al-Nahhas
    • 3
  • Domenico Rubello
    • 2
  1. 1.Service of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiological Sciences‘La Sapienza’ University of RomeRomeItaly
  2. 2.Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Medical Physics‘Santa Maria della Misericordia’ HospitalRovigoItaly
  3. 3.Department of Nuclear MedicineImperial College Healthcare TrustLondonUK

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